Ahead of Tuesday’s V.P. Debate, Nearly Half of Americans Can’t Name Either Candidate

We’re just a little over 24 hours until the one and only vice presidential debate, and yet nearly half of Americans who will be watching on Tuesday can’t name either candidate.

In an election year when both presidential candidates are recognizable by virtually every person in the Western world, the ability to recognize and name the white-bread sidekicks both have chosen have taken a backseat.

In a new survey from ABC News and SSRS survey research firm, pollsters found that 41 percent of respondents couldn’t name the GOP vice presidential candidate, while a whopping 46 percent couldn’t name the Democratic V.P. choice.

The poll also showed that 64 percent said they are likely to watch Tuesday’s debate, meaning that a large number of viewers will be learning the named of Mike Pence and Tim Kaine for the first time, a little over a month before the election.

Neither camp should be too concerned about the outcome of Tuesday’s debate as only 10 percent of voters say that a vice presidential debate could have a significant effect on who they intend to support. For the most part, Kaine and Pence can only serve to nudge undecided voters who are leaning one way or another further into the camp they are already considering.

For those of us who have made up our minds, we can all look forward to a nice nap because my God, how boring are those two?

Sydney Robinson is a political writer for the Ring of Fire Network. She has also appeared in political news videos for Ring of Fire. Sydney has a degree in English Literature from the University of West Florida, and has an active interest in politics, social justice, and environmental issues. She would love to hear from you on Twitter
@SydneyMkay or via email at srobinson@ringoffireradio.com